Kambathadi Mandapam

Perhaps the most beautiful pieces of architecture of Sri Meenakshi Temple are found in the Kambathadi Mandapam in the outer Prakaram in front of the idol of Lord Sundareswarar. Each one of these pieces is so fine that one cannot but appreciate it. The artistic heart will simple merge with these masterpieces.

The various features to God are graphically, depicted on the eight blackstone pillars around the Nandhi Mandapam, Bali Peedam (alter for offerings a Thiruvatchi frame of amps) and the Golden Flag Post.

Sree Meenakshi’s wedding scene is found on one of these pillars. The majestic appearance of the bridegroom (Lord Siva), the shyness and the sweet smile expressed in the eyes and lips of the bride (Sree Meenakshi) and the manner in which Lord Vishnu give away the birds are very realistic.

On all the four sides of each pillar we find admirable artistic work, on the pillar having this wedding scene the figures of Lord Siva is standing in a chariot about to kill the giants who are represented in the opposite pillar. Siva assumed this form to kill three demons of Tripura and to destroy their magic cities. During this campaign the earth is said to have served as the chariot, the sun and the moon as its wheels, the four Vedas as the horses and the Upanishads as the guiding rein, the right legs is firmly placed on the pedestal and the left is bent in an attitude expressive of great energy find a place.

To the right of this pillar, there is another, having the scence in which Lord Siva kill the God of death for saving his devotee markandeya. There is also the figure of Suga Asanar on this pillar.

On the third pillar, we see dancing pose of Lord Siva (Nataraja) and kamadhaganar the Lord’s burning of the god of Passion.

On the fourth the sciences of Lord Siva riding on hot bull, Ravana lifiting Kailas (The Himalayas and also seen that Siva appears as coming out from a Lingam (Lingodhabavamurthi) and brahma has taken the form of swan and Vishnu that of a boar boring the earth.

On the fifth, chakradharar (the Lord having wheel in his arm(, Rishabaroodar (the lord riding thebull) Ardhanareeswarar (the Lord with a woman’s form on half the body i.e., half image is masculine and the other half feminine, with appropriate of naments for adorning each half. Siva is represented having a malar earring the right lobe and a female earing in the left. The conception is that both Purusha and Prakriti are necessary for creation.

Near to this pillar there is another depicting and image of Siva called Harihara Sankaranarayana. God’s left half is Vishnu and the right half Siva. According on the left side we see the conch, pearl necklace and other Vaishnavite marks and the brilliant carvings of the features of Vishnu. On the right are the snake and other marks of Siva. The Moral is the oneness of both Hari and Hara and synthesis between Vaishnavism and Saivism.

The figures of Jalandra Anugrahar (God of Grace) and Dakshinamurti is a very important shrine in every Siva temple. The deity always faces the south. It is a yogic pose of Lord Siva himself as Dakshinamurthi. Siva is a Guru of Yogas, Music and other Sciences.The Yogi pose of meditation of Siva is worshipped as Dakshinamurti. This artistic featuring of Siva in mediation is so superb that one feels that one’s ego has vanished for time being. Here lies the beauty of sculpture which helps meditation by the devotee by a realistic symbol area on the sixth pillar.

Gajaharamurthi is shown in another pillar. The elephant was a demon sent by sages of daruka forest of kill Siva for seducing their wives as Bikshadanar. Siva killed the elephant and opened its ear and Lord Siva garlanding Chandeeswarar are seen on the seventh pillar. On the eighth pillar are engraved the figures of Bikshadanar, Rudrar, Kirasha Archunar and Somaskandar.

Apart from these the ten Vishnu Avatars (births of Lord Vishnu) are engraved at the bottom of some pillars. In another pillar engraved a figure depicting that Siva as laborer to help an old lady who sold rice cakes when the floods on the river Vaigai.

These pillars surrounded the Nandi Mandapam. The deftness of the architect is lavishly displayed in installing this Mandapam. It is not worthy that the top stone on the four pillars is a single piece.

On the eastern side of the Kambathad mandapam, the commanding figures of Agni veerabadrar and Agora Veerabadrar are seen on two pillars in the northern portion. On the other two pillars in the northern portion, Oorthava Thandavar (Dancing Lord Siva) and badra Kali (The Angered Goddess Parvathi) their skill and power. Each is animated by a sense of Motion and rhythm and their numerous limbs and elaborate ornaments and attributes make them probably the greatest triumph of technical skill in stone cutting to be found within the temple walls ”The most remarkable of these figures is that of Siva in the form of Sabhapati exhibiting a rare type of dance which is referred to as Urdhva. Thandava and represents the God with his right leg raised straight up so as to reach the top of his ear. Siva as Siddhar giving sugarcane to the stone elephant at Puddu Mandapam.

In front of the entrance to the Swami Temple. On the southern side, the idol of Anugraha Vinayagar and on the north is that of Palaniandavar.

Amman Temple

From the Parrot Cage Mandapam one can go into Sree Meenakshi’s sanctum Sanctorum. There is a small tower at this entrance. It is a three stroyed tower, forty feet high, its base is 27 feet long and 20 feet broad. There are 476 sculptures in this tower. This tower can be seen only from the eastern side of the Golden Lily tank. This tower is called Vembathur. Tower after its builder. Ananda Thandavanmbi of Vembathur. Inside the tower’s gate there are two paintings on wooden planks one depicts Sree Meenakshi’s Weeding and other her crowing.

Passing this entrance. We-can see a flag-post, covered with golden leaves at the south eastern corner of this outer Prakaram (path around the shrine) , there are the states of Thirumalai naick and his two wives.

The Kolu mandapam is the western corner, During the Navarathri (Nine Nights) Festival in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) an idol of Sree Meenakshi is adorned nine forms and kept in this marble mandapam.

On the western side, there is the gate of a tower. This five storeyed tower can be seen from the west Adi Veedi also. This Amman Tower is 54 feet high. Its base is 50 feet long and 28 feet broad. There are 228 sculptures on this tower.

On the North-East junction is the idol of ‘Koodal Kumarar songs from tiruppugal, sung by saint Arunagirinathar are engraved on stones in this Sannadhi. At its eastern end there is an entrance to Swamy Sannadhi.

After completing the round of the other prakaram, we can go into the inner prakaram, through a platform with six pillars. There are two beautiful copper statues of the Dwara balakas (Gate-keepers) at the entrance, some songs of Meenakshi Ammai Pillai sung by Sri.Kumaraguruparar are engraved on the walls behind these gatekeepers.

Passing the entrance, we come to the Maha-Mandapam (Great Hall). The Pillars and ceiling of this Mandapam have exquisite pieces of architecture. A bell wholly made of stone is hanging from the top.

On the Western Side of this Maha Mandapam, we find sree Meenakshi’s sanctum sanctorum. This fish eyed idol, shines in all its glory. Her eyes shows blessings on the devotees standing on both sides in deep prayer.

At the South-western corner of inner prakaram is Lord vinayagar’s temple and at the north-eastern corner is that of Muthukumarar.

The marble bedroom (Palli Arai) of sree Meenakshi is also situated in this prakaram. East of this, there is a gateway leading to the second prakaram of Lord sundareswarar. This Prakaram can also be reached by coming back to the parrot Cage Mandapam and entering through the tower gate at the north, Generally, in all temples of Lord Siva the idol of the Lord is worshipped first and then that of the Amman, however in Sree Meenakshi temple the Amman, is worshipped first perhaps to bring out the preference to ladies.

The fivestoryed tower was built in 1559 by sevvandhi moorthy Chettiar of Siramalai. It is 69 feet high with a base of 44 feet by 63 feet. There are 112 fine sculptures in this tower.

Passing this entrance, we are faced with a gigantic idol of Lord Vinayaga. This idol is said to have been discovered when the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam (tank) at the eastern end of the city was dug.

On the day Vinayaga Chadurthi (Worship of Lord Vinayaga) a big Kozukkattai (boiled rice cake) made out of three ‘Kurunies’ equal to 18 measures is offered to this Vinayagar. Hence this vinayagar is called Mukkurini Pillayar. This idol can also be seen from the southern outer tower of the temple.

The outer wall of this prakaram (pathway) is 420 feet lengthwise and 310 feet breathwise; the inner wall is 250 feet long and 158 feet broad.

There is a five-storeyed tower on the western side to this Prakaram. This was built in 1374 by one Mallappan. It is 72 feet high with a base of 48 feet by 31 feet. There are 40 sculptures in this tower.